I refer to the Kingsway High School case involving former teacher Emma Painter, which had been going on for two years. Her trial was a terrible injustice.

(Painter was sentenced May 20 to four years in prison, after a judge found her guilty of official misconduct and witness tampering, in a case in which another Kingsway teacher was charged for having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student. This second teacher pleaded guilty to a lesser offense, and was not sentenced to jail time.)
I have read every newspaper article since Painter's bench trial began, and this is a travesty.

What stood out the most to me is how the school administration never backed or even tried to help Painter. From day one, they saw her as guilty.

Painter taught and coached at Kingsway for 18 impeccable years. God bless all teachers -- but please watch your back.

Painter has said she stepped in to help at the pleading of the victim's aunt. Then there is the question of the notes (written to the student) that appeared all over the gym floor. Painter denied writing the notes, and was reportedly at a track meet when the notes appeared. Why would an intelligent, grown woman do such a childish thing?

Many questions -- no answers.

The teacher accused of sexual misconduct received probation. Now the victim says Painter ruined her life, but Painter seems to have been the only one trying to help.
How do you sentence a teacher to jail for talking to a student? It all sounds to me like a conspiracy to oust a teacher from her beloved profession.

It's a shame, and I, for one, no longer believe in our judicial system.